The CSA has announced a 15-member South Africa squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where several stars like Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton have been dropped.

Aiden Markram-led South Africa squad comprises a pack of young and experienced stars – featuring Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis, and Kwena Maphaka.

The Proteas Men’s selection panel announced the squad on Thursady, opting for a blend of experience and emerging talent.

Quinton de Kock who recently came out of international retirement, and fast bowler Anrich Nortje, back in the national setup following his recovery from injury.

Kagiso Rabada has also returned to the T20I fold after missing South Africa’s recent white ball tour of India due to rib injury.

The squad seam options further include Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch. However, Tristan Stubbs has been a suprising exclusion in South Africa’s white-ball plans.

His absence indicates the selectors’ preference for a different balance for subcontinent conditions.

“We have had to make some big calls, but we feel this group is the strongest and has every chance of succeeding in India and Sri Lanka,” Proteas Men convenor selector Patrick Moroney said.

“We have assembled a world-class squad with some of the finest and most experienced players in the game, together with some of the best T20 youngsters coming through.”

The selectors have handed maiden T20 World Cup callups for Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka and Jason SMith.

South Africa have been placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.

South Africa Head coach Shukri Conrad believes recent exposure to subcontinent conditions will work in South Africa’s favour.

“We are returning to the subcontinent, where we recently competed against hosts India. The experience we gained playing in those conditions will undoubtedly benefit us as we head into this tournament,” Conrad said.

“Many of the players selected for the World Cup squad were on that trip and experienced first-hand the pitches that we will likely encounter. We do have one more T20I series against the West Indies before we depart for the World Cup, and that squad will be announced later this month.”

South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram(c), Cock’s Quinton, Zorzi Tony, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Rabada Cake, Maphaka Sun, the Ngidi Lungi, Jason Smith, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Norse